Carly S. Filgueira, PhD
Carly is an Assistant Professor in Nanomedicine and Cardiovascular Surgery. She received her doctoral degree in Chemistry from Rice University and was a Postdoctoral fellow and Research Associate at Houston Methodist. Dr. Filgueira is currently interested in finding alternative treatment approaches for physiological disorders through sustained release harnessing nanotechnological approaches. Outside the lab, she coupons, hunts for treasure, and chases after her two boys.
Blake Fallon, BA
Blake is a Research Assistant in the Filgueira Lab. He is a recent graduate of Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with an emphasis on biological sciences. He has the intention on becoming a career scientist. His research interests include targeted drug therapies, nanoparticles, prodrugs, and drug development. Outside of lab, he loves outdoor activities such as rock climbing and slack lining, but also enjoys creative writing and playing guitar.
Antonio Martino, MSc.
Madison Bowden, BS
Madison is a Research Assistant in the Filgueira Lab. She recently graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biochemistry at Texas A&M University in College Station. She has obtained EMT and BSL certifications to gain experience in the medical field and aspires to build a career in research. Her research interests are targeted towards drug development and nanomedicine therapeutics. When not in the lab, she is usually baking/cooking gluten-free recipes, reading, or at the gym.
Alumni
Research Assistant
(08/2016 – 05/2017)
Presently Clinical Engineer at Houston Methodist
Visiting Graduate
Research Fellow
(04/2017 – 12/2017)
Presently Quality Engineer
at u-blox
Visiting Graduate
Research Fellow
(10/2017 – 05/2018)
Presently PhD student at Politecnico di Torino
Visiting Graduate
Research Fellow
(10/2017 – 05/2018)
Presently PhD Student at
AO Foundation
Dennis Wang
Research Assistant
(08/2018 – 06/2019)
Formerly Undergraduate Summer Intern
(05/2016 – 08/2016)
Presently Medical Student at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso
Visiting Graduate
Research Fellow
(09/2019 – 03/2020)
Sara is pursuing her master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering through a joint program between Politechnico di Torino and Houston Methodist. Sara graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Engineering at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. She is a Jill of all trades working on fabrication of metal and polymeric drug encapsulated particles, performing RNA extraction, and maintaining various cell lines. She was the lab expert in compiling and executing lab protocols and creating group presentations and posters. Sara’s scientific interest include fabricating nanoparticles and biomaterials, cancer models and therapies, and drug delivery systems. Outside the lab, Sara enjoys cooking, traveling and trying new restaurants, and watching medical dramas. Although her stay was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she was a valuable asset to the lab and continued to help with data analysis from Italy to complete her Master’s thesis.
Presently Associate Operation Support Specialist at Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson
Postdoctoral Fellow
(11/2018 – 07/2020)
Marc obtained his PhD in Molecular and Medical Genetics at the University of North Texas Health Science Center and was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Filgueira Lab. Prior to joining the Department of Nanomedicine, Marc investigated the metastatic potential of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and their survival in the blood microenvironment. His studies identified a bidirectional paracrine mechanism with circulatory immune cells (MDSCs) which promote CTC dissemination and metastatic potency. Marc’s research in the Filgueira Lab utilized his expertise in cancer and molecular biology and focuses on nanoparticle technology and its ability to enhance immunotherapy. While not in the lab Marc enjoys spending time with his Wife and Son, exploring the outdoors, and reading.
Presently Senior Scientist at Boehringer Ingelheim
Postdoctoral Fellow
(07/2019 – 07/2020)
Silvania was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Filgueira Lab. She obtained her doctoral degree in physiology and performed postdoctoral training at the University of Sao Paulo, USP, Brazil. The work done from her previous postdoctoral studies resulted in several publications. She was awarded scholarships from the Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP). Prior to joining the Filgueira Lab, she was a Research Assistant in the Children’s Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine. Silvania’s expertise is in molecular and cellular biology techniques, and designing and performing animal studies. Her scientific interests include nuclear hormone receptor signaling and its involvement in diabetes and metabolic diseases. Outside the lab, Silvania enjoys watching movies and taking her daughter to the park.
Presently Assistant Professor at University of Colorado
Aileen Carcamo-Bahena
Summer Research Intern
(06/2020 – 08/2020)
(06/2021 – 08/2021)
Aileen was one of few high school summer research interns. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 internship had to be virtual. For the 2021 internship, she worked on analyzing vascularity, capillary size and perfusion in a lung cancer mouse model. She is a K-pop and anime enthusiast, participates in her school choir, debate team, and interact club, and loves fashion, spending time with her three two cats (RIP Blossom) and two mice one mouse (RIP Daisy). She is interested in forensics and certain parts of chemistry (not the math). She plans to major in Biology when she enters college.
Undergraduate Student
Summer Research Intern
(06/2021 – 08/2021)
Visiting Undergraduate Research Follow
(07/2021 – 08/2021)
Julia was a 2021 summer research intern in the Filgueira lab and a 2022 visiting undergraduate research fellow in the summer. She is majoring in Bioscience at Tec de Monterrey campus Guadalajara, is interested in cardiovascular research and hopes to enroll in a PhD program in the future. Julia worked on optimizing parameters for nanoparticle-mediated photothermal heating last summer and won first place for her poster presentation in 2021. In summer 2022, she worked on a hydrogel formulation for ex vivo nanoparticle retention. In her free time, Julia likes watching Formula 1, pickles, and cooking.
Undergraduate Student
Summer Research Intern
(06/2021 – 08/2021)
Varshitha was a Summer Research Intern in the Filgueira Lab. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science at Texas A&M University in Biomedical Engineering. Varshitha is interested in near-infrared light mediated photothermal heating of gold nanorods and nanoshells. In her free time, she enjoys reading, adding to her earring collection, and binging political dramas.
Undergraduate Student
Graduate Research Fellow
(11/2019 – 02/2023)
Rossana was a Graduate Research Fellow pursuing her doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering and was a PhD candidate in electronic engineering through a joint program between Politecnico di Torino and Houston Methodist. Before arriving in Houston, Rossana worked on ophthalmologic medical devices with Prof. Danilo Damarchi. Her project in the Filgueira lab involves functionalization and characterization of gold nanoparticles and study of their biodistribution in rodent tumors. She was the lab expert on data processing and figure generation. Rossana’s scientific interests include nanomedicine, biosignal and bioimage processing, and medical devices. Outside the lab, Rossana plays the harmonica and ukulele, sketches and paints, and enjoys cooking and traveling.
Clinical Trial StartUp at San Raffaele Hospital, IT
Research Assistant
(11/2019 – 02/2023)
Yareli was a Research Assistant in the Filgueira Lab. She earned a BS in Chemistry and BS in Biology from the University of Houston-Downtown and an MS in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Florida. Before joining the Filgueira Lab, Yareli worked as a Research Technician at Baylor College of Medicine. In the Filgueira lab, she performed administrative tasks and was working on projects related to bone growth and heart repair after myocardial infarction. She was the lab expert when it came to rodent handling as well as animal maintenance. Yareli’s scientific interests include cancer metabolism, obesity, and pharmacology. Outside the lab, Yareli is a competitive weightlifter and enjoys hanging out with her two cats when she’s not rocking out at concerts.
Research Associate at Baylor College of Medicine
Graduate Research Fellow
(05/2022 – 02/2023)
Giorgio was a Graduate Research Fellow at Houston Methodist Research Institute in the Filgueira Lab. Giorgio was selected as a PhD student by ETH Zurich to do research in the CSEM company in Basel. He is passionate about the creation of innovative devices and medical solutions, with the right combination of mechanics, chemistry, and a little imagination. Outside of the lab, Giorgio enjoys traveling and riding his motorcycle.
(10/2020 – 03/2023)
Amber Lee, Research Assistant; majored in Biology at Baylor University. Before joining the Filgueira Lab, Amber Lee volunteered at Houston Methodist as a temperature screener during the COVID-19 pandemic. She worked on projects involving gold nanoparticle-mediated photothermal heating. She was the Filgueira Lab’s expert on lasers and pop culture. Her scientific interests include nanomedicine, pulmonology, as well as gene therapy. Outside of the lab, Amber Lee enjoys baking, sewing, and collecting records. Currently working as a Research Coordinator at Baylor College of Medicine.
Anna L Tutuianu
Anna was a Visiting Undergraduate Research Fellow in the Filgueira Lab. She is pursuing a BS in Bioengineering at Rice University. Anna assisted in the design and creation of medical devices as well as with other projects. Anna is passionate about the equitable and sustainable integration of new medical technologies into healthcare environments, and she loves learning about anything medicine-related. Outside of lab, Anna volunteers regularly around Houston, hits the weight room and dance studio, and tries not to kill her one too many plants.
Liz Eversole, BS
Liz was a Research Assistant in the Filgueira Lab. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biochemistry at The University of Texas in Austin and obtained her certificate in Social Inequality, Health and Policy. She is working on projects involving women’s heart health and potential therapies. Her scientific interests include nanomedicine, CRISPR/Cas9, and modular polyketide synthases. Outside of the lab, Liz loves to swim, play volleyball at the beach, and go thrifting around Houston.
Liz presently is a medical student at the University of Houston.
Davide Magliano, BS
Davide was a Visiting Graduate Research Fellow at Houston Methodist Research Institute. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Biomechanical Engineering with a focus in Biomedical Instrumentation at the Polytechnic of Turin, and he is completing his thesis project at HMRI. He is passionate about how computer science, electronics, and biomedicine can come together to advance healthcare and innovation. Outside of the lab, Davide enjoys playing sports, cooking, and photography.
Marco Mussato, BS
Marco was a Visiting Graduate Research Fellow. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Politecnico di Torino and is currently working on his Master’s Degree thesis in Biomedical Engineering at Houston Methodist. Marco’s research interests include biosignal and bioimage processing, medical devices, and how these might be merged to help heal diseases, but he is excited to learn anything innovative about engineering and medicine. Outside of the lab, Marco enjoys rugby, rock climbing, and spending time in nature.